Snack Series: Sweet Cream Cheese Pretzel

I have a confession. Until this past week, I had never actually eaten my very own sweet cream cheese pretzel in Walt Disney World. So when my husband and I decided to throw caution to the wind and head into the Magic Kingdom at 11pm on a Saturday during Spring Break, we figured it was high time to make a change.

Sweet Cream Cheese Pretzel at Lunching Pad

After riding everything we possibly could, we headed over to the Lunching Pad and purchased one of these yummy treats. They look like regular soft pretzels, but they have a faint dusting of what seems like [Read more…]

Disney Dream Recipe: Enchanted Garden Strawberry Cheesecake

By Kim LaPaglia 2 Comments

Strawberry Cheesecake at Enchanted Garden

When I sailed on the January Christening Cruise and completed the Disney Dream Dine Around, the desserts were scrumptious! If you love to try Disney treats at home, here’s a yummy recipe to try!

Where to Find It

This strawberry cheesecake is served in the Enchanted Garden aboard the Disney Dream. The Enchanted Garden is one of the three restaurants that cruisers can enjoy in their rotational dining. Start planning your meal by checking out the menu.

Here’s the recipe… [Read more…]

Review: Kimonos at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort

By AJ 15 Comments

Sometimes the best things happen at the last minute.

I’d never been to Kimonos over in the Swan and Dolphin Resort, and a friend invited me to join a group for dinner at the last minute this week. Luckily, I was able to swing by and I’m so glad I did!

Atmosphere
I’d been hearing for years how great Kimonos was — “they have the best sushi in Walt Disney World!” was the standard review — and I was really looking forward to trying it.

Kimonos Seating Area and Bar

The atmosphere of the place is excellent. A long, narrow room bordered on both sides with windows features a full bar at the back, a sushi station to the left, and a karaoke stage to the right as you walk into the restaurant.

Sushi Counter

Oranges, yellow, and black are the dominant colors in the clean, contemporary Japanese decor, but pops of color and texture come from [Read more…]

Candy-Land! Which New Disney Candy Box Is Your Favorite?

By AJ 19 Comments

We reported the news that Disney has created a new line of candy that we think you’ll love! With your favorite sweet/tart and chocolatey flavors combined with fun packaging, the “Disney Parks Authentic Original candies” are über rad.

Boxes are selling for $3.95 each and feature on the side what the actual candy looks like. Which flavors have you tried?

Candy Boxes

There’s chocolate for tiara-wearing guests too! Try the More for Princess candy hearts or Who Needs Prince Charming When You Have Chocolate Milk Chocolate Crispy Clusters.

More for Princess candy hearts

Who Needs Prince Charming When You Have Chocolate Milk Chocolate Crispy Clusters

Chocolate lovers will delight in the I’m not bad I’m Just Drawn to Chocolate Dark Chocolate Mint Candy, I’m a Chocolatear Milk Chocolate Raisins, Please Stand Clear of My Chocolate chocolate peanut candies, Mood Chocolate Milk Chocolate Candies and [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: The Hungry Bear Re-Opens with a New Menu

By Heather 19 Comments

Dining in Disneyland columnist Heather Sievers shares her review of the brand new Hungry Bear Restaurant menu today!!

After weeks of renovations, the Hungry Bear Restaurant in Disneyland’s Critter Country has reopened with a brand new menu. We had seen the tarps and boards up for some time; we even took a sail on the Columbia to see if we could get a sneak peek at what was going on behind the scenes. No such luck. So, when the restaurant opened back up this past week, we headed over for an early dinner to check it out. Hungry? Why yes, we are!

Eager Beaver Welcoming You to The Hungry Bear

Location and Atmosphere
Let me start by telling you that Hungry Bear is in the way way way back of Disneyland. I mean, we’re talking outskirts. If you’re looking for a semi-quick way to get there, hop on the train and get off at the New Orleans Station, head left, pass the Haunted Mansion & Splash Mountain, follow the curve around to the left and you will find the Hungry Bear just before the Winnie the Pooh ride on your right side.

When we first walked up to the restaurant, we were a little nervous. There were ZERO people in line, which isn’t really a great sign for a restaurant. Especially for a Saturday evening during Spring Break. I’m going to assume this was because people really didn’t know it was open. There are still lots of walls up around the area due to the Splash Mountain refurbishments in progress. So at the moment, Critter Country doesn’t look too inviting. Though, as soon as [Read more…]

Disney Food Pics of the Week: Adult Thirst-Quenchers

By Kim LaPaglia 12 Comments

Thanks to all who have contributed their photos to the Disney Food Blog Photo Extravaganza! Keep on sending ’em! The Disney Food Pics of the Week feature adult beverages! Slàinte!

This margarita flight is served at La Cava del Tequila in Epcot’s Mexico pavilion! Salud!
Photographer: shnewell

Margarita Flight

The Lapu Lapu is served in a pineapple at the Tambu Lounge at [Read more…]

Review: New Breakfast Buffet at The Wave in Disney’s Contemporary Resort

By AJ 20 Comments

We’ve been reporting the news, and now I get to share the pics with you! The Wave…of American Flavors in Disney World’s Contemporary Resort has a brand new meal — a breakfast buffet! They’ve been testing it since December, and according to one of the managers I had a chance to speak with, it looks like it’s going to stay. I’m glad to hear it; the buffet is delicious.

Atmosphere and Background
As we know, The Wave focuses on a sustainable menu full of local products. In fact, The Wave was just approved to change their menu every few months — they’re one of the only non-signature restaurants able to do this — so that they can offer an even wider variety of seasonal, local ingredients. I’m looking forward to the updates!

Contemporary Resort's The Wave Restaurant

Regarding atmosphere, you can see a lot of great photos of the restaurant in our review of dinner at The Wave here. But here’s a quick pic from this week that shows that the [Read more…]

Getting the Best Seat in the House: A Tip From the DFB Guide

By AJ 3 Comments

We continue to celebrate the launch of our 2013 Edition of the The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book with one of my favorite restaurant tips from the DFB Guide!

Fireworks from Bistro de Paris Window

There are lots of unique reasons to dine in certain Disney World restaurants, and one of the most interesting is the view you’ll have from your table.

At many Disney World restaurants, you’ll have the chance to glimpse fireworks shows, parades, animals, and more, but only if you ask for the right tables!

For example, at Epcot’s Bistro de Paris you’ll have a wonderful view of the Epcot fireworks, but to get it you’ll have to score a window-side table. The key? Make sure your reservation is for about an hour before the fireworks begin, and be sure to request a fireworks-view table — a seat in the middle of the row of tables next to the window — when you check in for your reservation!

While nothing is ever guaranteed, if you let the host know you’re willing to wait a bit longer for a great table, chances are good you’ll have a wonderful dining experience with a fantastic view of the show!

Want to know more about which seats to request in which restaurants?

Find this and detailed recommendations for seating requests at many other Disney World restaurants in The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2013! Get $4 off today with code 2013!

What are your favorite table requests? Let us know in the comments below!

Disneyland Resort Restaurants and Chefs Win Awards

By Kim LaPaglia 2 Comments

Traveling to Disneyland soon? You’ll want to add these resort restaurants to your dining list! We give a foodie shout-out to the winners of the Southern California Restaurant Writers awards!!

With a 36 year history, the Southern California Restaurant Writers, Inc. selects winners from south Santa Barbara to the border of Mexico. With such a large region, it’s a testament to the food quality at Disneyland that so many awards were presented to Disneyland restaurants at the annual banquet Sunday night.

Join me in congratulating Executive Pastry Chef Jean-Marc Viallet named the Pastry Chef of the Year! For the last ten years, Viallet has been dreaming up creative pastries for Disneyland guests.

Jean-Marc Viallet, Executive Pastry Chef, Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Resort received top honors in five categories! The Golden Bacchus is presented to restaurants with an extensive wine collection. The Golden Sceptre is considered the “top restaurant” award.

Special Award Category

* Pastry Chef of the Year: Jean-Marc Viallet, executive pastry chef, Disneyland Resort

Golden Bacchus Wine Award

* Napa Rose (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel)
* Steakhouse 55 (Disneyland Hotel)

Golden Sceptre (Five Star)

* Napa Rose (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel)
* Steakhouse 55 (Disneyland Hotel)

Gold (Four Star)

* Ariel’s Grotto (Paradise Pier, Disney’s California Adventure park)
* Blue Bayou (New Orleans Square, Disneyland park)

Sterling (Three Star)

* Goofy’s Kitchen (Disneyland Hotel)
* Storyteller’s Cafe (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa)

Source: Disney Parks Blog
Chef Photo copyright Disney

Disney Food for Families: An Ode to the Sand Bucket

By Erin 11 Comments

Disney Food for Families columnist Erin Foster discusses a great bonus you can find with some kids’ meals on Walt Disney World property!

It’s long been said that Disney is in the details. One of my favorite Disney details is the container for children’s meals at some of the counter service restaurants at Walt Disney World. What is this magical container? The sand bucket!

Buckets ready to be called into action

There are restaurants located near the pools or sandy areas at Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, the Yacht & Beach Clubs, and the Caribbean Beach Resort that serve their kids’ meals either in, or with, a new, [Read more…]

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